Remembering The Jemez Mountain Trail (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: homes, living in, shop)

[Design7]

One of the most delightful attractions I discovered when living in Albuquerque three years ag was The Jemez Mountain Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. This delightful mountain road takes you past an amazing variety of natural features and historically significant attractions. Here are a few photos of the many days I spent exploring this quiet but magnificent attraction. To this day, I will never forget seeing a herd of elk for the first time in my life in the Valles Caldera along the Trail.

[bongo]

This is making me homesick! Beautiful photos of a road we know well. Thanks for sharing them, Design7. Your photography is outstanding.

[jaxart]

OH WOW! Thanks so much for sharing those. I know where my next dedicated jaunt is going to be!

I especially like the photo of the old adobe house. Intriguing to note that it is either still occupied, or was recently, as evidenced by the contemporary power line and breaker box.

[Mike Horrell]

More great photos, Design7!

I rode the bike through there and up to the Gilman tunnels last Sunday. One of
the prettiest areas in this part of the state..

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by Design7

... Jemez Mountain Trail between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. ...

For those unfamiliar with the area:

This trail can take you from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
I almost always take visitors on this route to get to
Santa Fe due to the diversity of geology and vegetation
as well as all the great places to stop and walk around.

However, the trail is not "between" Albuquerque and
Santa Fe any more than Las Vegas is "between" Albuquerque
and Los Angeles. You can choose to divert from the direct
route, but you have to go out of your way.

As the pictures show, it's worth it.

Again, for those who don't know what the route is:
(1) Rt 44/550 from Bernalillo to San Ysidro
(2) Rt 4 through Jemez Springs, up into the caldera
.... turn right to go East to Los Alamos ( still on Rt 4 )
(3) Rt 502 to Pojoaque
(4) Rt 84/285 to Santa Fe

Plan on driving/stopping/driving from 9 am to 1 - 3 pm
or thereabouts. Actual driving time is about 2 - 3 hours.

Go at your own pace and don't mind the locals. People
who live out there have been down the road a jillion times
and want to go fast. They will be irritated with you for
wanting to see things and pull off at parking areas.

If you pull off whilst they are tailgating you, they will honk
and yell at you. Never mind them. They are the morons
who chose to live in a touristy area, but expect all
others to stay out of their turf. You might see one or two
of these types.

[jaxart]

JEMEZ MTN TRAIL WEB SITE

[Design7]

Thanks for the clarifications Mortimer on getting to The Jemez Mountain Trail. While it is easy to access from Albuquerque, is not as simple as a straight path. I used to take this route two or three times a week after work during the spring and summer when I lived in Albuquerque. Most times I would never drive the full distance, just enough to get into the Jemez Mtns. and do a bit of hiking, photography or just relaxing. It really is a wonderful attraction.

I have never had problems with other drivers and I was notorious for stopping and taking photos everywhere! Usually a smile and a wave kept me in good standing with the locals. I also made it a point to be repectful of private property and also the rules in the Jemez Pueblo since this is a community where people live and work.

I do miss it!

[bongo]

When I taught out on the Navajo Reservation at Pueblo Pintado, we used to drive from Cuba sometimes to Bernalillo & down to Albuquerque for shopping or over to Pojoaque then up to our home on the high road just for scenic routes. What we loved were the old adobes. We took pictures of the buildings, but no matches for yours, Design7.

[AlisonL]

My favorite place in NM. Go there as often as I can.

[JetSet]

Originally Posted by Design7

Here are a few photos of the many days I spent exploring this quiet but magnificent attraction.

AWESOME PICS! Thank you for sharing...... brought back some very fond memories.